Katuka explains ‘no-contest’ stance
I DECIDED not to contest the national management committee elections during the general assembly because I do not want any position, United Party for National Development (UPND) Secretary-General Steven Katuka has said.
Mr Katuka is not among the 70 newly elected NMC members from whom UPND president, Hakainde Hichilema is expected to appoint officials to fill different top positions in the party.
Mr Katuka said in an interview that it was his decision not to apply for election as a member of the NMC.
He said there was nothing wrong with him not taking up any position in the party because he would still remain a member.
“I am not on the list because I decided not to apply for any position and this is my personal decision,” he said.
The UPND has unveiled its newly elected NMC members.
This follows a “controversial” electoral process that saw 209 participants battle it out for the available 70 slots from the available 157, 924 votes.
The elections have seen 20 women and 50 men being elected to the highest decision-making organ of the party.
The UPND becomes the first political party to successfully conduct intra-party elections as a requirement by Article 60 of the Republican Constitution that provides for all political parties to hold regular internal elections.
Chairperson of the electoral commission, Judith Mulenga of CiSCA, one of the civil society organisations which conducted the elections on behalf of the party announced the results at the UPND secretariat in Lusaka.
Some of the top ranked in terms of votes garnered are Cornelius Mweetwa 1, 905.
Garry Nkombo 1, 885; Andrew Banda 1, 883; Charles Kakoma 1, 877; Doreen Mwamba 1, 828 and Sylvia Masebo 1, 822 among others.